Union cavalry saber, would appreciate any information .

[JM9841]

Hey everyone, my grandfather found this sword in his aunts house after she passed. There was also a painting of a soldier in union uniform ( more than likely an ancestor of ours) I do not get a picture of that. I would appreciate any info at all about this sword. Eventually I'll try to dig up information to identify the swords owner. Thanks.

 

[ronr]

You have a Model 1860 Cavalry Saber Made by C Roby. Appears to be in great condition. You need to search the house to find the scabbard. American Sword Manufacturers

 

[vpnavy]

Wow - great addition to your collection JM9841.

 

[doc-d]

Extremely nice.......ya, search to see what else is there......if a picture and a sword.......

 

[David in Germany]

Just a little tid bit of info, the curvature of the blade establishes that it is actually a "saber" swords use a straight blade sometimes dual edged. Sabers were used by officers normally on horseback and the curvature assisted in "popping" the blade free when enemy was impaled by he officer. Straight bladed swords were more difficult to free from the enemy as the rider rode by. So typically, straight blade is a sword, curved is a saber (normally).

 

[pippinwhitepaws]

American Sword Identification - US Military Swords


great educational site

 

[NewsMan]

Just a little tid bit of info, the curvature of the blade establishes that it is actually a "saber" swords use a straight blade sometimes dual edged. Sabers were used by officers normally on horseback and the curvature assisted in "popping" the blade free when enemy was impaled by he officer. Straight bladed swords were more difficult to free from the enemy as the rider rode by. So typically, straight blade is a sword, curved is a saber (normally).

With that said, sabers were rarely used in battle as an effective weapon. Southerners especially did not use sabers in the fight rather opting for pistols. A few notable battles where they were used -Brandy Station and Gettysburg - were exceptions and not the norm. Furthermore, impaling was rare as swords were primarily used for breaking bones... when used at all. Of course everything is subjective but that's what my research over time has shown.

 

[ivan salis]

sabers were used more for slashing attacks rather than stabbing "impaling" attacks--(impaling" a foe would tie you up as you tried to remove your sword --you would be in effect "helpless"- not good) sabers where used upon horseback when you were in close quarters combat with lots of enemy people around you and was used for lopping heads off as well as slashing attacks to the head ,neck and chest area , and taking off arms as well -- by the time of the civil war , most horsemen would much rather have 2 or more pistols and the southern ones often packed a sawed off shotgun for close up and dirty work --fighting with swords as a rule was seldom done , because while you waved your sword they shot you to bits. (old saying--- don't bring a knife (sword) to a gun fight)

 

[NewsMan]

Cavalry were trained to hit the enemy on the arms and collarbones to injure versus kill as most troopers did not even sharpen their blades. Same goes for bayonets. These images of close quarters with bayonets and swords are more fiction than not. Civil War medical records show very, very few people were killed using either weapon.